Acetylene-gas generator



L K. HAWKINS.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 9, 1920.

@uQgMiQ b azzmzzzzm 2 SHEETSSHEET l- Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

. 4 nlill lllll J. K. HAWKINS.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.9,1920.

Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- UNITED SITES PATENT O FI S JOHN K. HAWKINS, OF MORRISTOWN, TENNESSEE.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

Application filed January 9, 1920i Serial No; 350,375.

provide a device of the kind mentionedv which can be charged and recharged readily, at will.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means whereby an excessive or dangerous pressure may be relieved without depleting the water supply. 7

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that, within the scope of what is claimed, changesin the precise embodiment of the invention shown can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 7

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows in vertical section, a device constructed 'in accordance with the inven tion and Figure2 is a section taken ap proximately on the line 22 of Figure 1. The device forming the subject matter of this application includes a tank 1 in which a bell 2 is inverted, the bell being provided on its top with handles 3. A retainer 4, preferably in the form of a rod, extends across the tank 1 and is removably mounted therein, the retainer passing through the handles 3. Obviously, the retainer constitutes a means whereby the bell 2 will be prevented from rising, as the gas pressure therein accumulates. The bell 2 may be supported on legs 6 and is provided at its top with a cock 5. The cock 5 may be used to let out air from the bell when the bell is placed in the tank 1.

The invention comprises a plurality of U-shaped supports 7 extended downwardly within the tank 1 and upwardly within the bell 2, the outer portions of the supports 7 being'received in guides 8 on the tank 1.

The supports 7 includeinwardly projecting arms 9 connected as shown at 1-0 to carbide containers '11. The arm 9 hasan upstanding finger 12 received in eyes 14 on a carbide container 15, the carbide'containers 15 and 11 being disposed, preferably, in groups of three. There may bees many or as few of these groups as occasion may demand. Spring actuated latches 16 are mounted in the wall of the tank ,1 and cooperatewith' the supports 7 to uphold the carbide containers 15 .and 11. A single central container 20 may be supplied, the samebeing carried by a-support 21 constructed likethe supports 7. The containers 20, 15 and'11 are provided with openings 22, so located, vertically, that, preferably, the water willenter one container at a time.

The numeral 17 denotes a service pipe extended downwardly on the outside of the tank 1 and into the tank, below the bell 2, the service pipe 17 having an upstanding end 18 located within the bell and provided with receiving head 19 through which the gas enters. The service pipe 17 is controlled by a valve 23. A branch 24 leads from the service pipe 17 andcommunicates with an exhaust pipe 25.. A valve 26 is located in the branch 24, between the vertical portion of the -service pipe 17 and the-exhaust pipe 25. .An upright receptacle 27 is located in the tank 1, between the tank and the bell 2,

and is secured to the tank. Thereceptaclt'a- I 27 is open at its bottom, the lower end of the exhaust pipe 25entering the top of the receptacle. The numeral 28 denotes an inverted U-sh'aped pipe, one arm of which extends upwardly into the receptacle 27, the

other end of which extends upwardly with in the bell 2. The p'pe 28 may be supported in any desired way, as indicated at 29. v

In practical operation, the water rises in the bell 2 due to the head between the hell 2 and the tank 1. .The water enters the containers 11, 15 and 20, one after another,, through. the openings 22. As the gas is generated within the bell 2, the water is forced downwardly and the water rises between the tank 1 and the bell 2 until the gas has been used to such an extent as to cause the water to rise. again in the bell. Under ordinary working conditions, the gas passes by way of the head 19 into the part 18 of the service pipe 17 and passing the valve 23, which is open, flows to the point of use. If at any time the operator should desire to the tank '1 and the bell 2, the gas being trapped in the receptacle 27, and flowing awaythrough the exhaust pipe. The device is so constructed, owing to the foregoing arrangement of parts, that dangerous pressure will be relieved before the machine can explode andvbefore damage of any other kind results. 7

The retainer 4 may be withdrawn, thus settingthe bell 2 free, so that it can be removed.

' The-supports 7 are raised until the holes 22 in the carbide containers are above the normal water level, thecontalners being lifted ofi' separately for filling. l Vhen the service valve 23 is closed, the gas in the bell holds 7 r the water down away from theopenings 22 1n theicarbide containers, until the gas pressure is relieved. The water level is held down by gas pressure, until all the carbide in one can is exhausted, and then the'water rises and enters another can.

Ordinarily, two groups of the containers 11 are lowered at once, so that the six holes in the six containers of the two groups will admit water one after the other asthe water rises. The central carbide container 20 is used in emergency, w ien, for instance, all of the other containers have beein exhausted after night fall and the light fails. Nhen allot the containers 11'l5- -20 are raised, nowater can enter them, and the-machine does not operate to generate gas.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is V I 1. [In a device of the class described, a tank adapted to contain water; a. bell inverted in the tank and extended below the normal level of the water; a carbide container in the bell; a receptacle carried by the tank exteriorly of the bell, the. receptacle being submerged at its lower end, and communicating at its lower end with the tank for the return of water thereto; an exhaust pipe leading from the upper end of the receptacle; a. pressure release conduit extended upwardly at one end into the bell to a point below the normal level of the water, and

extended upwardly at its other end into the receptacle; and a service outlet communicating wlth the bell.

2. In a device of the class descr1bed,a tank adapted to contain water; a bell inverted in the tank and extended below the normal level of the water; a carbide container in the bel a receptacle carried by the tank ox teriorly of the bell, the receptacle being of conical form and being submerged at its wider lower end, said end of the receptacle communicating with the tank for the return of water thereto; an exhaust pipe leading fromthe smaller upper end of the receptacle; a pressure release conduit having ends, one of which extends upwardly within 7 5 the bell to a point below the normal level ofthe water, the other of said ends extending upwardly within the receptacle, the last specified end'of the conduit terminating in a depending bend; and a. service outlet com-- 8 0 municating with the bell.

3. In a device of the class described, a tank adapted to contaln water; a bell nvert-- ed in. the tank and extended below the normal level of the water; a carbide container r in the bell; a receptacle carried by; the tank and located between the bell and the tank, the receptacle being submerged at its lower end and communicating through. its lower end with the tank for the return of water thereto; an exhaust pipe communicating with the upper endo'f the receptacle; apres sure release conduit having ends, one of whlch extends upwardlywithin the bell to a point below the normal level of the water,

the other of said ends extending upwardly within the receptacle; a service pipeconimunicat-ing with the bell and communicating with the exhaust pipe; and a ValVG"C0ntlOl' ling the flow from the service pipeto the exhaust pipe. p v V In testimony that I claim the forego ng as my own, I have hereto anxed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses L. A. HARMON, L. D. HAnMoN.

JOHN K. HAWVKINS. 

